Android vs iOS4.2
It's a clash of the mobile operating systems this time around with Apple's iOS 4.2 taking on the might of Google's Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Will Apple's simplistic approach prove too much for the plucky open source upstart, or will this latest revision of Android be the one to see off the perennial favourite once and for all?
User Interface
Apple's mobile operating system has always been lauded for its easy to use interface and iOS 4.2 is no exception. Everything is intuitively placed and easy to organise though it has been criticised for being too easy to use, if there is such a thing? The latest update of Google's Android, Gingerbread, doesn't stray too far from the tried and tested formula perfected in previous releases. You'll find all your apps available with a touch of the screen and everything where it should be, though some of the more advanced options might take a few seconds to track down, not dissimilarly to iOS. Though for functionality and display of information it's hard to fault Android which, with its widgets and customisable user input options, strides ahead of iOS at the final sprint.
Winner - Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Eye Candy
Android 2.3 features a re-designed facade and does away with the dull-as-dishwater white on black icons and monochromatic menu entries that made previous versions of Android a little on the plain side, replacing them with neat, colourful visuals that should be enough to sate those of you with the most visual of leanings. There are also some very neat new animations included which give the OS a really geeky wow-factor! Apple's iOS is hard to outdo in the visual department though and the transitions, icons and menu entries featured in version 4.2 just feel super slick.
Winner - Apple iOS 4.2
Availability
Unless you're one of the lucky few who can afford an iPhone, iPod or iPad you're not likely to run into iOS as it isn't licensed for use in any other products. Android on the other hand is seemingly omnipresent at the moment and 2.3 Gingerbread upgrades will be coming to most medium to high-end devices that have been released in the last 6 months, such as the Motorola Milestone 2, Samsung Galaxy S, HTC Desire, Desire Z and Desire HD to name but a few. You won't have to spend big to get your hands on Gingerbread and for this reason alone it wipes the floor with the highly proprietary Apple iOS.
Winner - Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Applications
Dive into Apple's App Store and you'll find over 300,000 titles to keep you occupied, productive and in-touch, with virtually every possible function you can think of covered. Android 2.3 isn't far behind, though its slightly younger Android Market does feature significantly fewer apps (for now), though there is more available for free from the open source OS. With the Android you also get the benefit of a more relaxed approach to screening apps, meaning that interesting up and coming titles won't be frozen out for using profanity or featuring mildly adult content. If you're after the Disney approach to marketing, go for the Apple but if you're a freethinking adult you'd be foolish to pass up the Android 2.3.
Winner – iOS4.2
Gaming
Apple have set-up iOS perfectly for gaming. With plenty of high-end titles available and intuitive and responsive control methods included you're treated to a fun, immersive gaming experience on the move. While Android 2.3 signifies a stepping-up of Google's support for gaming it hasn't had a chance to come to fruition yet and while there are some great emulators and stand-alone titles available for the OS it isn't quite up there with Apple's polished, established iOS 4.2.
Winner - Apple iOS 4.2
Well, what a pleasant surprise! For the first time since its introduction Google's Android operating system actually seems to be punching its weight with version 2.3. Visuals are crisper, usability is improved courtesy of advanced vocal recognition and it feels every inch the mature, open mobile operating system that we've been promised all these years. We aren't out to knock Apple though, their iOS 4.2 is a stellar piece of software which will give even the most fastidious user a fun, stable experience but owing to Apple's closed standards and their predilection for censorship and propriety we're happy to announce Google Android 2.3 as the new king of the mobile operating system!
Click here to compare all the HTC Desire HD deals online
Click here to compare all the Samsung Galaxy S deals online